MSE Graduate Programs

Application Instructions

GENERAL INFORMATION

Application Deadlines

PhD Program – January 1
MS Program – January 15

The PhD application deadline is firm. Applications for the MS Program are often accepted after the deadline. Please contact the department for more information.
Enrollment begins once a year in fall quarter.

Admissions Criteria
Most applicants come from a background relevant to Materials Science & Engineering. The department also accepts students with undergraduate & graduate backgrounds from various engineering or physical science fields. Course prerequisites which may be met upon admission are outlined in this document. Applicants should meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 (on a 4 point scale) for the last 90 graded quarter credits or 60 graded semester credits. GRE test results are required by the application deadline, but there are no minimum scores required to be eligible to apply. To be a competitive applicant please see average GPA and GRE scores outlined below from our 2014 cohort. The PhD Program is the most competitive program since funding support is most often awarded to these students.

Application Access
All applicants must complete the UW Graduate School Application which incorporates all program-specific application materials. No printed materials are required at the time of application. The application fee is $85. If offered admission, additional materials will be requested at that time. Review the requirements listed below before proceeding.

Graduate School Applicant Profile
Based on the general profile information entered, your application type will be identified (US citizen or international, degree seeking or graduate non-matriculated) and the relevant checklist of application requirements and step-by-step instructions will follow.

NOTE: After creating the Applicant Profile, you will select from our two current program offerings.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

Résumé/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
The resume or curriculum vitae should include a complete history of academic experience, intern/work experience, membership in professional organizations and/or licenses held, honors received (such as scholarships, awards) and publications (if any). Where appropriate, items listed should be interpreted in terms of their relevance to materials science and engineering.

Recommendations
Three recommendations are required. Recommendations should be requested of individuals who can evaluate your academic, internship or work performance and can evaluate your potential for or commitment to a future in materials science and engineering. They will be emailed a document to complete rating your skills and experience. There will also be space provided to upload a letter or support or complete additional information in a space provided for them.

Statement of Purpose
This statement should outline the applicants desire to pursue graduate studies in MSE and include specialty areas and research interests, as well as degree objectives. Generally this statement should not exceed one page in length.

GRADES AND TEST SCORES

GPA (Grade Point Average) & Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts must be uploaded for each college/university attended where a degree was earned (bachelor's degree or higher). Official degree transcripts (hard copy) are required if an offer of admission is made (UW excluded). There is no minimum GPA requirement to apply. To be a more competitive applicant you can reference the GPA averages for our 2014 cohorts.

PhD Program: 3.7
MS Program: 3.5

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Code for score reporting is 4854
The GRE is required for all applicants and scores must be received by the application deadline. The results are valid for five years.

There is no minimum GRE score requirements to apply. To be a more competitive applicant you can reference the GRE percentiles for our 2014 cohorts.

English Language Proficiency Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not received the equivalent of a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited US institution or an institution where all instruction is in English must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores. The minimum test score requirement is 92 on the TOEFL and 7.0 on IELTS. Applicants who don’t meet this minimum are still eligible to apply, but if admitted would be required to enroll in English language courses. For more detailed information about this requirement please view English Proficiency Requirements.

Please Note: If a PhD offer of admission is made, the applicant will receive information about available departmental funding support at that time. There is no separate application to complete for this purpose. Our department is not able to offer funding support for our master’s degree program.